I am currently reading a biography on the life of Alexander the Great. What struck me about the book was how Alexander conquered, for example, Egypt. He then 'installed' his government.

For the common folk outside the city that didn't experience sieges, did they know this happened? Obviously the Macedonian army was small comparative to the landmass they conquered, why didn't they just act like they were conquered, then when the Macedonians left, return to business as usual.

Even further, with Caesar conquering Gaul, how were the Gaulic people outside the city centers 'know' they were Roman? Obviously it isn't like the game, Age of Empires where the color of their shirts didn't spontaneously change from green to red.

​

Thank you!